Original Chubby’s now open on Santa Fe Drive

At ten this morning, Julian Cordova’s second Original Chubby’s restaurant finally opened on Santa Fe Drive — and business has been brisk. Cordova opened his first Original Chubby’s in Thornton in 1987; he insists that his two restaurants — in addition to the original Chubby’s that his grandmother, Stella Cordova,…

100 Favorite Dishes: Fried pickles from TAG Burger Bar

Suffice it to say that I eat out more than the general population, unless, of course, the general population can catalogue more than 450 restaurant meals in a year — which is about the number of breakfasts, lunches and dinners that I stomached in 2012. Pathetic, isn’t it? But all…

Guess where I’m eating a steak that would make a cow cringe?

If you’re going to call yourself a bona-hide steakhouse, then for the love of cows everywhere, hire a kitchen staff that understands the concept of temperature, specifically mid-rare. This barn of steer doesn’t have a clue, delivering the first slab of steer so beyond well-done that it was inedible; a…

Photos: Ali Baba Grill now serving Mid-East feasts near DU

After Ali Baba Grill first opened in Golden a dozen years ago, two more outposts followed, including one in Greenwood Village and another in Highlands Ranch, which is now closed. But the Middle Eastern joint, whose cuisine is rooted in Lebanon, Persia and the Mediterranean, is now back to being…

Reader: Best of Denver Readers’ Poll winners are ridiculous

We just published our thirtieth Best of Edition, with more than a hundred editorial picks in the Food & Drink section, many of them accompanied by Readers’ choices. And the readers have once again shown good taste and not given the Best French Fries award to McDonald’s, a frequent readers’…

Photos: Sumo Sushi gets into the ring in Aurora

Sumo Sushi opened last week at 2353 South Havana Street in Aurora. Westword’s Danielle Lirette brought back these photos from the restaurant, which features local sports-themed rolls as specials. Score! See also: – Restaurant roll call for February: Old Major in, Pig & Block out – Denver’s ten best sushi…

Cold Crush, a restaurant, bar and art gallery opening in Ballpark

Music, great food, libations and local art — that’s the mantra of Cold Crush, a new venue opening April 20 in Ballpark at 2700 Larimer Street. The all-in-one package, run by model and DJ Cassie Stevens and three guys obsessed with music and art — general manager Eric Cunningham, owner…

Guess where I’m eating tom yum goong?

It’s a good thing that the tom yum goong, a tart and spicy Thai seafood soup, was on the money, because the service — stoic and uncomfortably unfriendly — definitely wasn’t, and nor was the chalky panang curry, ordered “Thai hot” and arriving inexplicably milder than the pot of rice…

Guess where I’m drinking a margarita?

I had low expectations for the margarita at this new Mexican restaurant. But while it didn’t make me howl with glee, it was far from the worst marg I’ve had. With any luck, this restaurant will stick around longer than the space’s last tenant — and I’ll be able to…

Tin Star Smokehouse is smoking in Golden

Paul Schutt, former chef at Work Options for Women, just opened Tin Star Smokehouse in the space vacated by Chia’s Breakfast & Lunch Counter at 16400 South Golden Road in Golden. Not coincidentally, Paul’s brother, Andrew Schutt, owns Tin Star Cafe & Donut House in Evergreen — another barbecue joint…

Reader: Bonanno Brothers Pizzeria will help Park Meadows

Grand Lux Cafe closed in Park Meadows last week. According to the Park Meadows website, the mall (inside or out) still has Brio Tuscan Grille, California Pizza Kitchen, Champps, Cru – a Wine Bar, Earl’s, La Sandia, P.F. Chang’s, Red Robin, Thai Basil, White Chocolate Grill and two restaurant/pubs in…

Masterpiece Deli closing for an overnight renovation

The Best of Denver 2013 has hit the streets, and once again, LoHi is our Best Restaurant Neighborhood. At the end of 2012, the LoHi Merchant Group did a count of all the eateries in the area and came up with over fifty — more than double the count from…